President Trump Issues Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who May Burden the U.S. Healthcare System

On Oct. 4, 2019, President Trump issued a Proclamation, that will be effective on Nov. 3, 2019, suspending the entry of immigrants who will financially burden the United States healthcare system. The reasoning behind the issuance of this Proclamation is to not burden American taxpayers with immigrants who utilize the U.S. healthcare system without payment and who allegedly contribute to overcrowding of emergency rooms and hospitals. The Proclamation includes a reference to data that shows lawful immigrants being three times more likely than U.S. citizens to lack health insurance, and while the United States will still continue to welcome immigrants, the country must protect its own citizens.

President Trump, through the Proclamation, declares the following:

1. 1. – The immediate suspension of immigrants entering the United States who does not have approved health insurance, within 30 days of entry, or unless the alien possesses the financial resources to pay for medical costs. Approved health insurance is defined in the Proclamation, which can be found here.
   2. – The Proclamation only applies to those who are seeking immigrant visas, as opposed to those seeking nonimmigrant visas.
      1. The Proclamation will not apply to those who hold a valid immigrant visa issued before the effective date of the proclamation; those who are seeking to enter the United States pursuant to a Special Immigrant Visa, who is a national of Afghanistan or Iraq, or any alien who is the child of a U.S. citizen seeking to enter the U.S. pursuant to the following categories: SB-1, IR-2, IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4, and IR-5 (with limitations).
      2. b. The Proclamation will also not apply to those aliens under 18, and any other aliens whose entry would be in the national interest.
      3. c. The Proclamation will not affect those who are lawful permanent residents (e.g., already received green cards), and will not affect eligibility regarding asylum, refugee status, etc.
   3. – The Proclamation will be implemented and enforced immediately, and a report must be submitted within 180 days of the effective date.

 

For more on the topic, see the National Law Review Immigration Law page.